When Less Is More

That trendy double cleanse? Not so great for your skin. “Washing your face to the squeaky-clean point isn’t necessary unless you’re about to have a procedure such as a chemical peel,” says Dr Heidi Waldorf, of Waldorf Dermatology Aesthetics, New York. In fact, it can strip your skin of the proteins and lipids it needs to stay balanced. For most people, washing in the evenings with a mild cleanser (one that leaves the skin soft, not tight) is enough. The exception: If you have acne, work out in the am, or use a retinoid at night, then add a morning wash.